That challenge is behind Rovensa Next’s investment in a new pilot fermentation plant in Brazil, a facility the company says will help accelerate the development of microbial biosolutions while reducing the risks that often emerge when products move from the laboratory to industrial production.
Now fully operational at Rovensa Next’s Monte Mor fermentation site, the pilot plant serves as an intermediate step between early-stage laboratory work and full-scale manufacturing. The facility works closely with the company’s Global Research and Innovation Center for Biosolutions in Hortolândia, where teams focus on microorganism research, bench-scale fermentation and formulation development.
Together, the sites create what the company describes as an integrated innovation ecosystem designed to move microbial products from concept to commercializationmore efficiently.
“The pilot fermentation plant was established to accelerate the development and scale-up of microbial biosolutions from laboratory to industrial production, strengthening Rovensa Next’s global R&D capabilities,” said Johana Perez, Global R&D Product Design Manager at Rovensa Next.
Perez said Brazil was selected because of its strategic importance within the company’s global biologicals network and its role as a major agricultural production region with strong microbial biodiversity.
“Brazil plays a strategic role in this evolution,” she said. “As a global agricultural powerhouse and a center of microbial biodiversity, it offers the ideal environment to develop robust, high-performance biosolutions with global applicability.”
Addressing the scale-up challenge One of the persistent difficulties in microbial product development is that fermentation processes do not behave the same way at larger volumes.
Laboratory bioreactors often hold only a few litres, while industrial fermentation tanks may exceed 3,000 litres. Moving directly from one scale to the other can create problems that affect microbial
viability, consistency and final product performance.
“Scaling microbial biosolutions is inherently complex, as microbial bioprocesses do not scale linearly,” Perez said. “When fermentation volumes increase, critical parameters such as oxygen transfer, nutrient availability, metabolic balance, and overall productivity can change significantly.”
Before the pilot plant was installed, Rovensa Next researchers were moving directly from laboratory systems of up to seven litres into industrial-scale tanks.
The new pilot bioreactor bridges that gap. With a 100-litre working volume and 150-litre total capacity, it increases fermentation scale by up to 20 times compared to laboratory systems while allowing researchers
to test conditions that more closely reflect commercial manufacturing.
“The new pilot bioreactor fundamentally changes this approach,” Perez said. “This intermediate scale allows microbial behaviour, productivity, and stability to be assessed under conditions that closely reflect industrial reality.”
The facility uses the same utilities and automation systems as the Monte Mor production plant, including industrial-scale controls for aeration, nutrient feeding, temperature and process monitoring.
“The pilot plant significantly improves the accuracy of scaling microbial processes by closely replicating real industrial conditions – something traditional laboratory methods cannot fully achieve,” Perez said.
She added that using industrial-equivalent systems earlier in development allows teams to identify problems sooner, improve process predictability and reduce scale-up uncertainty before commercial manufacturing begins.
Faster development, lower risk According to Rovensa Next, the pilot plant is expected to shorten development timelines significantly.
By allowing researchers to validate fermentation strategies, monitor microbial performance and refine formulations at pilot scale, the company can move promising products to industrial production faster while reducing technical and commercial risk.
“By enabling realistic process simulations, formulation optimization, and early validation of production parameters, the pilot plant significantly reduces development timelines,” Perez said. “What would traditionally take many months to scale can now be achieved in a matter of weeks.”
The system is also designed to help researchers evaluate operational costs and manufacturing efficiency earlier in the process.
Odacir Lameu, R&D Coordinator and head of the pilot plant, said the facility improves flexibility across the company’s research and development pipeline.
“Internally, this gives us more efficiency, quality and agility across our processes,” he said. “For growers, it means faster and more reliable responses to their needs for innovative bio-inputs.”
Supporting existing and future biological products The pilot plant is being used to support both existing products and next-generation microbial technologies.
Among the products already benefiting from the facility are Phos’Up, which improves phosphorus availability in the soil, and Azzofix, a microbial seed treatment designed to enhance nitrogen-use efficiency.
Perez said the company is also using the pilot system to improve product shelf life before transferring changes to commercial production.
Another recent example is Otimais Duo, launched in Brazil as a microbial consortium designed to combine biological nitrogen fixation with phosphorus solubilization.
“This innovation strongly benefited from the pilot plant, where key process parameters were rapidly defined, optimized, and successfully transferred to industrial-scale production,” Perez said.
The company said future additions to the pilot plant could include centrifuges, filters and spray dryers to further support scale-up and product deployment.
A broader shift towardbiological agriculture Rovensa Next sees microbial biosolutions becoming increasingly important as agriculture faces pressure to improve productivity while reducing environmental impact.
“Rovensa Next believes microbial biosolutions will be at the core of the future of agriculture,” Perez said. “As global food demand rises and climate and sustainability pressures intensify, biologically based products that improve nutrient-use efficiency, enhance crop resilience, and reduce environmental impact will become essential tools for farmers worldwide.”
José Nolasco, Global Head of R&D Bionutrition at Rovensa Next, said growing sustainability pressures are accelerating interest in biological technologies.
“Global demand for healthy food is growing fast, while agriculture faces increasing climate and sustainability constraints,” he said. “Technologies developed in Brazil will play a central role in delivering the next generation of biosolutions.”
Perez said the pilot plant is expected to play an important role in advancing new microbial consortia and multifunctional biological products in the years ahead.
“This pilot plant is a true accelerator of innovation,” she said. “It allows rapid optimization of fermentation and formulation processes, significantly shortening time-to-market while ensuring product quality, stability, and scalability.”
She added that the investment supports the company’s broader strategy to expand biologically based crop inputs globally.
“Ultimately, it reinforces Rovensa Next’s ambition to lead the global transition toward more resilient, biologically driven, and sustainable agriculture, delivering tangible value to farmers and the food systemas a whole,” Perez said. ●
From left to right: Victor Sonzogno, Head of Brazil; Odacir Lameu, R&D Coordinator; José Nolasco, Global Head of R&D Bionutrition; and Johana Perez, Global R&D Manager, during the inauguration of Rovensa Next’s new pilot fermentation plant in Brazil. Photo: Rovensa Next
The pilot plant significantly improves the accuracy of scaling microbial processes by closely replicating real industrial conditions.
Rovensa Next’s pilot plant “significantly improves” the accuracy of scaling microbial processes by closely replicating real industrial conditions. Photo: Rovensa Next
The research, led by Dr. Chris Brosnan at the university's Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Science (QAAFI), also challenges a long-held assumption about how RNA-based crop protection products work. Rather than entering plant cells directly, the study found that dsRNA travels between cells and throughout the plant as an intact molecule.
“Instead, we have shown in multiple species that when it’s sprayed on a plant’s leaf, the dsRNA is mobile, travelling between cells and throughout the plant, including to the roots,” Brosnan said. “If we are trying to target a pathogen, then this spray technology has a real chance of being effective, because the dsRNA can move systemically, encountering pathogens to kill.”
The findings, published in Nucleic Acids Research, provide new insights into the movement and function of RNA interference (RNAi)-based biopesticides, an emerging class of crop protection products designed to target specific pestsand pathogens.
Unlike conventional pesticides, dsRNA molecules work by shutting down essential genes in target organisms. When pests or pathogens absorb or consume the RNA, critical biological processes are disrupted, killing the target while avoiding harm to the crop and beneficial organisms.
The researchers found that foliar-applied dsRNA moved not only to leaves and growing points but also to roots and reproductive tissues across multiple plant species. The molecule remained largely intact as it travelled through the plant and was later transferred to fungal pathogens, where it activated the pathogen's own RNAi machinery to silence targeted genes.
According to Dr. Donald Gardiner, also with QAAFI, the discovery could address one of the major challenges facing RNA-based crop protection.
“This work changes the dogma around the stability, uptake and movement of dsRNA which is vital as we develop the technology,” Gardiner said. “Currently, there are no effective sprayable products to target pests and pathogens below the ground. It’s a challenge to get anything protective into plant roots,
so if we can spray RNA on a leaf and get it to move through the plant’s tissues as an intact molecule to its roots, that’s a significant opportunity to target hard-to-reach pests and pathogens.”
The ability to deliver RNA molecules to roots could be particularly important because dsRNA breaks down rapidly in soil, limiting the effectiveness of direct soil applications. By moving throughthe plant instead, the technology may provide a pathway to reach root-infecting organisms without exposing the RNA to rapid degradation.
The researchers also discovered that dsRNA travels primarily through the apoplast — the network of spaces outside plant cells — rather than through cell-to-cell channels previously thought to be involved in RNA movement. This could allow the molecules to move independently of pathogen-induced changes within plant tissues and remain available until a pathogen attacks.
The next step for the research team is identifying root-associated pests and pathogens that are especially vulnerable to RNA-based control.
“One of the challenges in developing effective RNA-based technologies is the instability of RNA in the soil environment,” Brosnan said. “Our finding could mitigate this problem, but we need to know how this translocated RNA is then transferred to susceptible organisms. One target could be nematodes, which are a major pest in agriculture, affecting grains, cotton and many important horticultural species.”
The researchers say the findings suggest RNA sprays could eventually be used against a broader range of targets, including fungi, insects and parasitic nematodes, expanding the role of RNA-based crop protection as an alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. ●
Dr. Chris Brosnan (left) and Dr. Don Gardiner (right)in the QAAFI laboratory.
Photo: Megan Pope
Mycoverse, a spin-out from Technical University of Denmark, has raised €2.4 million in pre-seed funding to support development of fungal-based biological controls targeting potato late blight, one of the crop’s most damaging diseases.
The funding round was co-led by Future Food Fund and High-Tech Gründerfonds, with participation from PINC.
The company said the financing will support field trials across Europe over the next two years, along with preparation of regulatory dossiers and commercial validation work with customers.
“Our products are compatible with chemistry and can be used in standard treatment programs including mixtures and established treatment intervals,” said Svend Petersen, CEO and co-founder of Mycoverse. “This funding allows us to rapidly expand our field trials program, bringing us closer to delivering reliable biological crop protection products that farmers can adopt without changing their existing practices.”
Potato late blight remains one of the most costly and persistent diseases facing growers globally. Mycoverse estimates the market opportunity for late blight control at roughly €1.9 billion worldwide, while European growers also face increasing pressure to reduce reliance on conventional chemical crop protection products.
Petersen said the company’s technology platform combines artificial intelligence with decades of fungal research data to accelerate discovery of biological candidates.
“Our platform combines 40 years of accumulated functional and structural research data with Mycoverse high-throughput output from functional screening of our rich strain and extract collection against a significant and growing number of disease-causing targets,” he said.
The company focuses on identifying fungal strains and bioactive compounds that can deliver disease control levels comparable to conventional chemistry. According to Petersen, lead candidates have already shown promising greenhouse results against potato late blight based on “level of disease control as compared to chemistry.”
Mycoverse also said its production system is designed to support commercial scalability, an issue that has challenged some biological crop protection developers.
“Our experience with and access to filamentous fungal strains with outstanding production performance as well as technologies to modulate and scale such production,” Petersen said, help underpin the company’s manufacturing approach.
Investors said the company’s combination of biological discovery tools and scalable production technology stood out as regulatory and market conditions continue shifting toward lower-input agriculture.
“We are impressed by the scientific depth of the team and the speed with which they are able to identify and screen high-performing biological candidates,” said Christian Kannemeier, senior investment manager at HTGF. “The rapid development of their potato blight candidates, achieved in just five months, demonstrates the strength and efficiency of their platform.”
Kim Wagenaar, investment director at Future Food Fund, said increasing resistance to existing crop protection products is creating demand for new solutions.
“As chemical crop protection products are phased out and growers are increasingly dealing with resistance to products that are still on the market, the need for new solutions has never been clearer,” Wagenaar said.
While potatoes are the company’s initial focus, Mycoverse plans to expand into additional crops and diseases, including grapevines.
“We are building a targeted portfolio of key diseases to address urgent needs,” Petersen said.
Mycoverse has previously received €1.9 million in support from the BioInnovation Institute, bringing its total funding to €4.3 million. ●
Svend Petersen, CEO and co-founder of Mycoverse
Mycoverse has received funding to support development of fungal-based biological controls targeting potato late blight. Photo: Thomas Steen Sørensen
BASF Agricultural Solutions has commissioned a new fermentation plant for biological crop protection products in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
The investment, which BASF says is in the high double-digit-euro range, is aimed at strengthening the company’s portfolio in biological innovations, which include fungicides and seed treatments.
The production of key biological active ingredients began this year, says the company. These included the bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, which forms the basis of the biological fungicide Serifel, and the main building block of Inscalis, an insecticide based on the fungal strain Penicillium coprobium.
“The successful commissioning of the BioHub marks an important step
forward in Industrial Biotechnology for BASF Agricultural Solutions,” saidDr. Melanie Bausen-Wiens, Member of the Management Board of Agricultural Solutions, in charge of technology. “By bringing fermentation production in-house, we directly link our expertise in research with industrial-scale manufacturing, allowing us to accelerate and adapt biotechnological innovations.”
Maximilian Becker, Member of the Management Board of Agricultural Solutions, added: “With this new fermentation plant, we have established a scalable and flexible platform that enables us to strengthen our BioSolutions portfolio while ensuring a consistent and dependable supply for our customers.” ●
Agriodor, a French agricultural technology company specializing in scent-based biocontrol solutions, has raised €15 million (US$17.7 million) in Series A funding to expand its innovative approach to crop protection globally.
The company’s technology uses natural plant scents to influence insect behaviour, offering farmers a sustainable alternative to traditional pesticides. The company says this approach addresses critical challenges such as insecticide resistance, biodiversity loss, and environmental impact. Agriodor’s solutions are designed to attract, repel, or disrupt pest insects, providing effective crop protection while preserving ecosystems.
Alain Thibault, co-founder and president of Agriodor, emphasized the transformative potential of the company’s technology: “We are convinced that the future of crop protection lies in biology, not chemistry. With this funding round, we mark Agriodor’s transformation – from a leading French agtech startup into a global specialist in scent-based biocontrol. Our technology provides farmers with an effective tool to protect yields while preserving the environment and human health.”
Dr. Ené Leppik, co-founder and CTO, highlighted the innovation behind their approach: “Olfaction is a universal language for insects, and we cracked it. Our technology represents a revolution in crop protection – high-performing, residue-free and biodiversity-friendly – that can be used alone or in combination with any other crop protection tool.”
Agriodor’s first product, targeting sugar beet aphids, is already helping French farmers combat yellows virus through an exclusive distribution agreement with Syngenta. The company plans to expand its portfolio to address pests affecting other crops, such as fruit flies, whiteflies, and thrips, which represent a market worth over$4 billion.
The funding will enable Agriodor to accelerate its international expansion in Europe, Latin America, and North America, while strengthening its research and development capabilities through artificial intelligence. The company’s innovative platform has already achieved a global milestone by deploying a semiochemical (allomone) in row crops, with successful applications in sugar beet fields in France.
Founded in 2019 as a spin-off of INRAE, Agriodor operates two laboratories in France and collaborates with 15 R&D partners across Europe, China, and Brazil. With eight patents and a multidisciplinary team of 42 specialists, the company is poised to redefine crop protection and contribute to a more sustainable agricultural future.
The funding round was led by the Environmental and Solidarity Revolution Fund, managed byCrédit Mutuel Impact, with participation from regional funds and historical investors, including Capagro, CapHorn, and SWEN Capital Partners. ●
READ MORE about how Agriodor’s olfactive technology redefines crop protection, HERE.
IVIA researcherAlberto Urbaneja
By Janet Kanters
A biological control program led by Spain’s Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA) is delivering promising results against the Asian citrus psyllid in Cyprus, offering a potential model for protecting Mediterranean citrus production from huanglongbing (HLB).
IVIA said ongoing monitoring shows substantial reductions in populations of Diaphorina citri, the insect that spreads the bacterium associated with HLB, a disease widely regarded as the most destructive threat to citrus production worldwide.
The findings were reviewed during a meeting between Ángel Marhuenda, Director General of the Common Agricultural Policy, and Cypriot authorities during a recent visit to Cyprus. The discussions focused on the status of the control program, ongoing monitoring efforts and future cooperation on preventing the spread of HLB in the Mediterranean region.
“The results obtained to date show that the classic biological control program is having a very significant impact on Diaphorina citri populations in Cyprus,” said Marhuenda. “However, the detection of residual populations of the vector indicates that it will be necessary to maintain surveillance, especially during the main outbreak periods.”
“The Cyprus experience constitutes a case of great strategic value for Mediterranean citrus farming, allowing the potential of classical biological control to be evaluated in real conditions as a preventive and sustainable tool against one of the greatest phytosanitary threats to citrus fruits,” he added.
Although HLB has not been detected in the Mediterranean basin, the discovery of Diaphorina citri in Cyprus in 2023 marked the first confirmed presence of the pest in the European Union, prompting an international response involving researchers and regulatory authorities.
Cyprus launched an eradication and monitoring program following the detection, working closely with IVIA. Because citrus trees are widely distributed across commercial orchards, private gardens, urban settings and recreational areas, authorities determined that chemical controls alone would not be sufficient.
IVIA proposed supplementing those efforts with a biological control program using the parasitoid wasp Tamarixia radiata. The initiative began in 2024 with support from the Cypriot government, the Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus, the University of California Riverside, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and other scientific and plant health organizations.
The first releases of Tamarixia radiata took place in spring 2024 at four citrus-growing locations where psyllid populations had been confirmed.
Since then, IVIA researcher Alberto Urbaneja has led a series of scientific missions to assess the program’s progress, with field visits conducted in November 2023, March 2024, July 2024, October 2025 and May 2026.
“The first samplings showed high population pressure of the psyllid, with overwintering adults, abundant nests and heavily infested shoots. In July 2024, some fields even reached 100 percent infested shoots, which confirmed the wide distribution of the vector on the island and the need to reinforce a sustainable management strategy based on biological control,” Urbanejapointed out.
Monitoring conducted in October 2025 showed a sharp decline in psyllid numbers across most surveyed sites, accompanied by high levels of parasitism where the pest remained present.
“Subsequent monitoring showed a very favorable evolution. In October 2025, a strong reduction in Diaphorina citri populations was observed in most of the monitored fields, along with very high levels of parasitism in the foci where the psyllid was still detected,” add the expert.
In one of the most heavily affected fields, parasitism levels exceeded 90 percent, demonstrating the effectiveness of the introduced natural enemy.
The latest assessment, completed in May 2026, found further declines in psyllid populations. Most surveyed orchards showed spring growth free of active psyllid colonies, with no significant numbers of adults or nymphs detected. Researchers reported only isolated adults, eggs and small nymphs on very young shoots, with population levels now far below those observed in 2024.
IVIA said continued monitoring will be essential to ensure the long-term success of the program and to support efforts to keep HLB outof Mediterranean citrus-growing regions. ●
